Vigil held for slain baby

Special to Southside Reporter - Express-News

Published
12:00 am CDT, Thursday, July 22, 2010

Hoping that the tragic death of one child could illuminate the growing epidemic of abuse and save other kids from a similar fate, State Sen. Carlos Uresti and other child advocates held a candlelight vigil last week for 11-month old Faith Escamilla.

Organized by the M.E. Rodriguez Funeral Home, where services for Faith were held the previous week, the "Have Faith" vigil had a dual purpose.

"We're here to honor Faith. She didn't get to spend much time with people who loved her or cared for her, and she deserves to linger a little longer in our thoughts and prayers," Uresti said.

"But this service is also for the community to have faith. We must remain strong for the kids in San Antonio. If we don't stand up for them, who will?" Uresti said.

Faith died June 14, less than one month before her first birthday. Her mother, 25-year-old Silver Star Hernandez, was charged with capital murder in the case.

Addressing the media before the service, Uresti noted that 180 children died from abuse and neglect in Texas last year, including 13 in Bexar County.

Uresti, who formed the Blue Ribbon Task Force following the Christmas Day 2003 starvation death of Jovonie Ochoa, said the entire community must get involved in the fight against abuse and neglect.

When asked if that battle will ever be won, Uresti said, "I hope one day we will get there."

But for that to happen, the state must remain committed to providing child abuse treatment and prevention services, despite a looming shortfall of $18 billion. In the next session of the Legislature, it will also be necessary to fill in some of the "holes and gaps" at Child Protective Services that allow some children to remain at risk.

In the meantime, it is important for groups like the Blue Ribbon Task Force to keep reminding struggling families that many community resources are available, including the 2-1-1 help number provided by United Way.

"For these young parents there is hope, but they need to ask for help," he said.

"This vigil for Faith should remind us that there are many children in our community who are at great risk, and that we have a duty to do all we can to protect them," Uresti said.